Career Advice You'll Actually Use

Want to break into fashion? Follow this advice.

When a bunch of the fashion industry's major players get together to talk about how to break into the business and succeed, you listen carefully and take copious notes. And that's exactly what 165 hopeful fashionistas did recently at the CFDA/Cosmopolitan Fashion Career Summit presented by Lancôme. Here, some of the best advice — and moments — from the super-chic conference.

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Foster Relationships in the Industry You Want to Be In

"Four key things you need to succeed in fashion," designer Cynthia Rowley (left) said, "are ideas, vision, execution, and follow through. And remember, your ideas are only as good as your execution."

Cosmopolitan's editor-in-chief (center) also told the group to follow a good Twitter stream: "that way if you ever run into those that you follow, you'll have an opening to a conversation." Some of Coles's favorites include @oscarprgirl, @CFDA, @IvanmBart, and @Womensweardaily.

"It's also good to foster relationships in the industry — you never know who you're going to end up working with and who can help propel your career," Coles noted.

Kelly McCauley, the director of communications for the CFDA, added that it's important to look for a job you love and do the homework about it, so that you can excel. "You might want to be in fashion, but you're really good with numbers, so maybe marketing might be the best fit for you to succeed."

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Don't Be Late — If You're On Time, You're Late

Jenn Rogien (left), Costume Designer of Girls and Orange is the New Black told the students to be organized, flexible, and be ready to multitask. "And don't be late — if you're on time, you're late."

"Notably work hard and be a go-to person," Shawn Outler, Group Vice President at Macy's said. "If you work hard and you volunteer, you'll get recognition and be looked at as an untetherable resource. And remember, you don't have to study fashion to be in fashion. If you out-perform and are dedicated and passionate, you can be in this field."

Leah Robert, EVP of Licensing and Advertising at the Camuto Group, told the students, "You may think what you're doing is a small task, but every task — big or small — helps the company in a large way."

"Always have ten ideas at the ready," Joyce Chang, Executive Editor of Cosmopolitan, said. "We work in an industry where the currency is ideas. Also, part of becoming good at your job is making mistakes, because that is how you'll learn for next time — it will help serve you well for the rest of your career."

"Be ready to marry the creative with the strategic side of fashion, because they come as a pair if you want to succeed," Preston Konrad, Style Director at American Eagle, said. "Also, just ask. If you don't ask, you won't get."

"Be inclusive — everything is a team effort, especially in big corporations," Catherine McNeal, SVP/GMM, P.S. of Aéropostale, added. "And take risks! But most importantly, don't get discouraged. We all want something to happen today, but be patient and work hard."

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Be Open To Anything

"Don't turn your nose up to rolling up your sleeves and getting dirty," Donna Kalajian Lagani (left), SVP/Publishing Director of Cosmopolitan and Cosmopolitan for Latinas, noted. "No matter what your position, you have to be willing to work to succeed."

"Don't be set on something, be open to any experience because you close yourself off from opportunities," Jeanie Syfu, a celebrity TRESemmé Stylist, added.

"Do anything you have to do to get noticed. For example, when someone asks you to jump, ask them how high?" Ivan Bart, Senior VP and Managing Director of IMG Models, said. "Also, you're never to old to learn something new. Be communicative and learn to communicate in person and build relationships the old fashioned way (i.e. not texting or emailing, call them up)— it will get you further in life."

"In every position, there is something to be learned," Silvia Galfo, SVP of Marketing for Lancôme, said. "You don't and can't know everything, but you can want to and try to learn it all. That way you have more opportunities to grow."

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Don't Always Say Yes

"If you're trying to break into the blogging business, you don't always have to say yes," Tom Fitzgerald, fashion and celebrity blogger of TomandLorenzo.com, said. "You have to make sure that what you're agreeing to fits well with your brand. Otherwise, you'll look like you're selling out."

"You have to push through the noise of the industry and by doing that you have to have voice," Lorenzo Marquez, fashion and celebrity blogger of TomandLorenzo.com, added.

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Make Sure Your Social Media Represents Your Best Self

"It's easy for the interviewer to research job candidates, so when you go in for a job make sure your Instagram reflects your best self," Shiona Turini, Fashion Market Director at Cosmopolitan, said. "Also, if you're for sure that fashion is what you want to do, you have to be willing to sacrifice everything to pave your way. You have to hustle and not give up."

"Always cross your T's and dot your I's," Alix Campbell, Photography Director of Cosmopolitan, added. "Do your research when you're emailing someone, make sure their name is spelled right, and send an email that is perfect, short, sweet, and to the point."

"Make the most of your time that you have at your internship," Aya Kanai, Cosmopolitan's Fashion Director, said. "If you're interning in the fashion department day in and day out, ask them questions and get to know the team — it could help land you a job."

"Apply to companies that you want to work for," Steven Brown, Senior Bookings Editor at Cosmopolitan, suggested. "Your co-workers will eventually be able to see it in your attitude if you want to be there or not."

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Think of Yourself as a Brand

"It's not someone else's job to figure out what you need to do," Lindsey Pollak, Author of Getting From College to Career, said. "You have to figure out where you belong based on your skills and then sell yourself in that way."

"Know when you're the boss and when you're not the boss — sometimes you have to learn that by making mistakes," Jimmy Lepore Hagan, Director of Digital Media for Nanette Lepore, noted. "Also, follow the person you're interviewing with — whether it's for an internship or position."

"Even though you might be applying for a fashion job, you can't forget professionalism when you're dressing for your interview," Tracey Lomrantz Lester, Women's Editorial Director of Gilt, added.

"Make sure your skill set matches at least 80 percent of the requirements," Diana Blancone, Manager of Talent Acquisitions at The Jones Group. "Then, make sure you're prepared for the interview. Do your research, Google the company you're applying for, and find out the major details are about them. Also, do research on the person interviewing you — this not only helps put you at ease when meeting them, you can actually come up with talking points."

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Don't Despair. There is Something in the Future That Will be Amazing

"Never stop reading, never stop rushing to the latest films, but remember to float a bit and be open to influences, because sometimes you can close yourself off to opportunities," Coles added.

"If you want to do something, set your sights on that and go for it," designer Isaac Mizrahi said. "And have a resilient outlook. No matter how many times someone told me I sucked, I kept thinking they're wrong. Oh, and don't despair — there will be something in the future that will be wonderful."

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After the summit ... makeup was done

Lancôme provided makeup artists for all of the attendants to get their makeup done, which was a huge success. The students also had a chance to chat with the panelists and make connections if they so desired — or nosh on the small bites and dance to DJ Kalkutta's beats.

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Stylish outfits were shown off ...

Here are just two of the 165 amazing outfits shown off the day of the summit.